Johnson and Johnson at work on skin care that modulates bacteria

The multinational company has partnered with a biotech firm specializing in probiotic skin care and cosmetics as part of its new JLINX program.

JLINX is a program J&J launched last year with the aim of partnering with and helping startups working the fields that align with J&J businesses. “JLINX aims to catalyze scientific advances and accelerate breakthroughs,” ​as a recent press release from the company explains.

First cohort ​

The first resident companies at JLINK have been announced: S-Biomedic, Caelus Health, eTheRNA, and Octimet Oncology.

S-Biomedic is not only among the first startups to participate in the JLINX R&D program. Johnson & Johnson Innovation has invested in the company. And, the two will be working together on “microbiome-based solutions for skincare.”​

S-Biomedic has a good start; the company “has developed a method to directly modulate the skin microbiome with applications in dermatology and the cosmetic industry,”​ according to the press release. But it’s not an entirely new project for J&J.

Another deal​

Last September Cosmetics Design reported on J&J’s research deal with Xycrobe Therapeutics​. That company re-engineers bacteria “to grow and secrete biotherapeutics as needed to help treat an array of skin issues,” ​according to the company’s press material.

In collaboration, Xycrobe Therapeutics and J&J are working with this biotech to treat inflammatory skin conditions. They anticipate being able to put this technology to use treating acne, psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.

Probiotic skin care​

J&J’s latest partnership in this area could have an even broader market appeal. S-Biomedic, under the leadership of CEO Veronika Oudova, is dedicated to developing probiotic skin care and cosmetics. The products are not yet on the market. But according to the S-Biomedic site, the first launch will be an acne skin recovery product.

Explaining the concept of probiotic cosmetics to curious consumers who happen to find it, the site reads, “We transfer the concept of probiotics common in the food and health care industry into skin care. We design our products using the latest advances in microbiology and dermatology. Using our technology, beneficial bacteria have been selected and combined to generate products that restore the equilibrium on your skin.”​